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Shichibukai Sir Crocodile...
Dead!
When Vivi learned the news through the Den Den Mushi, although she was already familiar with the Straw Hat Pirates' power and had experienced Red's extraordinary abilities firsthand...
The fact that the man who had plagued the Alabasta Kingdom for years was dead in some unknown location left her momentarily dazed.
After ending the call, she gazed toward the Going Merry in the distance.
They were currently docked in the central area of the Sandora River, the mighty waterway that flowed through the entire Alabasta Kingdom.
This location marked almost the exact center of Alabasta. Whether one wanted to travel to Rain Dinners, Alubarna, or any other city, the distance was roughly equal from this point.
It was also the territory that Red intended to request from the King of Alabasta.
Despite the apparent strategic importance of this area's terrain, throughout the hundreds and thousands of years of Alabasta's history, there had never been plans to develop or build in this crucial region.
This perplexed Red, who had knowledge from another time. He couldn't comprehend why, with so much wilderness and uninhabited land with abundant water and resources along both sides of the Sandora River...
The people of Alabasta were so focused on excavating various underground water sources in the hot, dangerous desert to build their cities.
"I must report this to my father immediately..."
"And there's also the matter of the rebels..."
Vivi raised her head, watching Ace and Luffy battling fiercely in the sky above.
Endless flames spread across the heavens, making the already scorching Alabasta Kingdom even hotter.
Suddenly, a dark figure shot out from the blazing inferno.
Luffy grinned widely, swinging his massive arms behind him and targeting the flames ahead.
"Gomu Gomu no... Gigant Pistol!!!"
BOOM!!!
The colossal darkened fist smashed into the intense heat, instantly knocking a bare-chested man out of the flames.
"What has this kid been eating during the three years I was away?!"
Ace, struck by Luffy's Armament Haki, crossed his arms defensively, his face registering disbelief.
The next second, his body flew like a cannonball, crashing into a desolate rock formation.
"The gap is still vast indeed!"
Zoro, who had also awakened Conqueror's Haki, and Sanji, who could now tap into his body's latent potential, watched the duel with profound admiration.
The Grand Line truly harbored an overwhelming number of powerful warriors!
Blackbeard some time ago, Ace before them now...
And Crocodile, whom Red and Robin had reportedly defeated alone, was said to be a formidable fighter second only to these two.
"Still not strong enough~"
Zoro's eyes flashed with determination as he anticipated his next opportunity to battle with Ace.
Influenced by Red, they had learned to seize every chance to grow stronger, never missing an opportunity for improvement.
Compared to the original timeline, they now clearly understood how limited their strength remained.
They recognized how formidable their future enemies would be!
If they wanted Luffy to become the Pirate King and fulfill their own dreams, their current abilities were far from sufficient!
While Zoro and Sanji waited for Luffy and Ace to finish their sparring session...
The other Straw Hat Pirates were equally busy with their own pursuits.
"Usopp, are you certain these insects can withstand such extreme temperature fluctuations?!"
"These are super-resilient Heracross that you've carefully cultivated!"
Not far from the battlefield, in a makeshift research facility, Chopper—wearing a white coat and black-framed glasses—watched with concern as the Heracross survived the scorching battlefield flames.
Usopp, similarly bespectacled, patted Chopper's shoulder reassuringly:
"Don't worry, Chopper!"
"Under my care, these insects have accumulated substantial Grass-type energy in their bodies, making their vitality extremely robust!"
"Besides, it's better to discover any problems now than to encounter them on a future battlefield!"
"Alright!"
At Usopp's insistence, little Chopper nodded reluctantly. Looking at the group of flame-scorched insects before him, he took a deep breath and shouted:
"Icy Wind!!!"
WHOOSH!!!
Calm Ice-type Pokémon energy surged rapidly through Chopper's body. As he unleashed his move, a frigid hurricane suddenly materialized in the desert laboratory.
Everywhere the cold wind passed, objects were transformed as if transported to an arctic realm, covered with thick layers of ice.
The Heracross that had just endured the flames were instantly frozen into delicate, lifelike ice sculptures.
"Did I fail?"
Observing the frozen Heracross, Chopper's face fell with disappointment, believing he had ruined Usopp's hard work.
But at that moment, Usopp's face broke into an excited smile.
He patted Chopper's shoulder joyfully and proclaimed proudly:
"How could my work possibly fail?!"
As he spoke, he extended his hands, a light green glow appearing in his eyes.
Under Chopper's bewildered gaze, Usopp shouted:
"Revive! My loyal subjects!!!"
Click... crack...
As if some hidden switch had been activated.
The moment Usopp's words fell, faint cracking sounds emerged from the frozen Heracross.
The next second, countless fracturing noises erupted in sequence.
One after another, the Heracross broke through their icy shells. Their wings vibrated with buzzing sounds as they took flight, completely unharmed, forming the words "USOPP RULES" in the air!!!
"WOOOOW!!!" Chopper's eyes lit up with golden admiration as he gazed at Usopp.
"You did it, Usopp!!!"
"Hehe~" Usopp rubbed his nose smugly. "Isn't that only natural?!"
"I am the mightiest Usopp in the universe!!!"
Looking at Chopper's adoring eyes, Usopp felt immensely satisfied.
Yet internally, he calculated carefully:
"The speed, strength, and environmental tolerance of this batch of Heracross... have far exceeded my expectations..."
"Next, I'll have them continue breeding to select even superior specimens..."
"Next time, even if I encounter an enemy with an extreme attack range, I won't be helpless!"
With these thoughts, Usopp secretly clenched his fist where Chopper couldn't see.
He had promised everyone he would become the world's greatest sniper, capable of handling all long-range threats.
But...
In a recent battle, he could only watch helplessly as his companions were attacked by Van Augur, whose sniping range exceeded 5 kilometers.
Although no one held this against him, since that battle, Usopp had been trapped in self-blame and inadequacy.
Because of this, he had barely rested lately. Each day, he channeled Pokémon energy into breeding and cultivating various insects and plants.
Today, his efforts finally bore fruit...
This group of Heracross, which he had yet to name officially, were not only incredibly powerful—easily lifting objects weighing as much as a person—but could also fly with bullet-like speed. Without Observation Haki, it was nearly impossible to track their movements with the naked eye.
Additionally, they could withstand both extreme heat and cold...
These Heracross now possessed preliminary combat capabilities!
They represented a regular fighting force to help him face future enemies.
"What I'm missing now is probably a method to carry these insects with me."
"I wonder if there are any Devil Fruits with such functionality?!"
"I should ask Red later... Oh, and Sanji too!"
"He's seen the Devil Fruit encyclopedia before; perhaps he can offer some suggestions."
"The next task," Usopp's mind raced, "is to wait for Wapol to replicate Van Augur's sniper rifle materials!"
After Van Augur's death, Usopp had successfully inherited his legacy...
The sniper rifle "Senriku" that Van Augur had cherished like a wife.
However, as the saying goes...
Sometimes what you inherit becomes something entirely different in your hands!
As soon as Senriku came into Usopp's possession, he disassembled it completely.
Upon examination, Usopp discovered that this rifle—from its firing mechanism to its gas guidance system—utilized special materials he had never encountered before!
Even components as small as the firing pin, springs, and rubber rings possessed performance far superior to conventional market firearms.
These premium materials naturally enhanced the weapon's capabilities, which, combined with Van Augur's exceptional sniping skills...
Had allowed this rifle to demonstrate astonishing power.
To craft a more powerful weapon better suited to himself, Usopp had gathered data on these materials and sent everything to Wapol.
The isolated former king seemed to have accepted his current situation.
To minimize his suffering, he gradually began cooperating with Usopp's requests.
As someone with special talents, he still received preferential treatment even within Red's domain.
Apart from restricted freedom, his lifestyle differed little from before.
Moreover, Usopp had promised him...
With continued cooperation and satisfactory results, he might occasionally be permitted outside, albeit under the watchful eyes of Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine.
Under Red's direct guidance, Usopp was steadily approaching a path that might've traditionally led to trouble...
...
Meanwhile...
Elsewhere, in a desolate stretch of desert relatively distant from the Going Merry's mooring, a massive vessel sailed freely across the endless sands as if traversing the open sea.
Aboard the ship, a large man with an umbrella atop his head bowed submissively, his expression obsequious.
"Um..."
"Miss Nami, while I'm deeply grateful for the water and provisions you've provided, we've been traversing this desert for nearly a day now..."
"Are you certain we should continue in this direction?"
"Stop the pointless chatter!"
Nami, dressed in Alabasta-style sun-protective clothing, sat in what should have been the captain's chair, tapping its armrest with her Clima-Tact.
"I've already paid you!"
"Or perhaps you'd prefer another taste of lightning?!"
"No, no, no..." The large man, captain of the Barbar Desert Bandits, frantically waved his hands in refusal.
Originally a band of sand pirates roaming the wilderness, they had been constantly searching for ways to survive amid the desert's harsh conditions.
Just two days prior, the young woman named Nami had suddenly appeared before their vessel.
Alongside her came a massive sand scorpion that emerged unexpectedly from the desert depths!
Just as they feared the poor girl would fall victim to the ferocious desert beast...
The woman before them waved her staff, unleashing a terrifying thunderbolt that illuminated the entire desert, instantly reducing the sand scorpion to charred remains.
Thus, the Barbar Sand Pirates gained sustenance, and in return, promised to temporarily lend their vessel to the girl for her search.
After witnessing Nami's ability to create rain from thin air and her formidable combat prowess, they readily agreed to her proposal.
They had traveled in one direction for an entire day under Nami's command.
However, the previous evening, Nami had suddenly demanded they change course and return the way they had come.
Though the Barbar Sand Pirates ultimately complied with Nami's request, after traveling non-stop for a day and night...
They were utterly exhausted.
Navigating the desert was not nearly as smooth as sailing the sea.
Beyond mastering sail control, they needed to employ ancient techniques to propel the vessel up and over the numerous sand dunes they encountered.
By now, dozens of the Barbar Sand Pirates were completely drained.
At that moment, a figure with precise movements suddenly descended from above, executing several mid-air spins before landing gracefully before Nami.
It was the sole woman among the Barbar Sand Pirates and the group's second-in-command—Rasa!
Facing Nami, whose body crackled slightly with electricity, she immediately positioned herself before Barbar and explained:
"Miss Nami, please don't misunderstand!"
"You've provided us with ample water and food; naturally we'll take you wherever you wish according to your request!"
"But perhaps you could at least tell us what you're searching for?!"
"That way, the rest of us can assist you, preventing any accidental oversight."
"Please be assured, we're definitely not the type to be motivated solely by money!"
Rasa suggested kindly.
After all, there was strength in numbers.
Moreover, locating something in the vast desert was hardly a task for a single person.
However, after hearing Rasa's words, Nami merely shook her head slightly, then gave an answer that shocked the sand bandits.
"Hehe~ It's not that I don't trust you."
"It's just that even I don't know exactly what I'm looking for."
Despite her words, when Nami looked up, her eyes gleamed with powerful anticipation.
It was as if she could already envision countless treasures materializing before her.
Nami continued: "But rest assured!"
"I can sense... that our target is drawing closer and closer!"
"It won't be long before we find it."